Norminn wrote:

I've seen rats climb UP two-story downspouts of our condo. I had
heard noises like animals a couple of
times, because the downspouts are right next to our patio. Couldn't
imagine what it could be in the
downspout until one day when I saw a rat run from the hedge to the
opening of the downspout and heard him go up. We have
palms, with lots of berries, that overhang the roof if not kept
trimmed - yummy food supply.

INSIDE the down-spout? If so, well, damn.